Online Master’s Programs from the School of International Service

Online Master’s Programs from the School of International Service

The online graduate degree programs from American University’s top-10-ranked School of International Service blend theory and practice to prepare students to launch or advance their careers in a variety of fields. The curricula from all three master’s degrees emphasize service as a core principle and allow students to choose courses that align with their professional goals. Our degrees include:

Online Degree Programs Overview

Explore our available online degree programs and select the program that best meets your academic and career goals:

Master of Arts in International Relations (MAIR)

The online Master of Arts in International Relations program is designed to allow students to hone their understanding of international relations theory and practice, sharpen the analytical skills needed to work through cross-cultural interaction and conflict, and develop proficiency in a specialized subfield of the sector.

Students can focus their studies in areas such as global security, U.S. foreign policy, sustainable international development, and conflict resolution. The program can be completed in as few as 24 months.

Executive Master of International Service (MIS)

Designed for professionals with seven or more years of experience, the online Master of International Service is an accelerated program that enables students to sharpen their decision-making and strategic communication skills, develop their ability to lead multicultural workforces, and focus on crisis and change management.

Students can concentrate their studies in fields such as foreign and security policy, peace and conflict resolution, international negotiation, and global development. The program can be completed in as few as 12 months.

Social Enterprise Master’s (SE)

The online Social Enterprise Master’s program is designed for professionals who want to learn the business practices to help drive sustainability or promote a social mission through their work—both in the U.S. and abroad.

The program features a blended curriculum with MBA courses from the Kogod School of Business and policy and international relations courses from the School of International Service. Students hone their hard business and analytical skills while developing their understanding of international development and economics, negotiation, global politics and policy, and social innovation. The program can be completed in as few as 24 months.

The School of International Service offers an array of master’s degree programs on campus, including international development; global media; natural resources and sustainable development; and U.S. foreign policy and national security.

Online students have the optional opportunity to take up to a quarter of their course work on American University’s campus in Washington, D.C. This hybrid learning option enables students to extend their network and interact with students currently enrolled in the School of International Service’s residential program.